- "Change is inevitable. Maurer goes beyond the philosophy of Change Management to actually help people identify resistance to change and then teach them tools to overcome it. His tools have been used extensively by Lockheed Martin to drive change successfully across a multitude of processes and products with tangible savings."
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- S. K. Gupta
VP Operations, Lockheed Martin
If you’re looking for someone who can advise you on ways to lead change more effectively, I hope you’ll take a look at our services and how we work.
People call me because they want to build support for a major change. I have worked with clients on new software systems, merger integration, restructuring, quality improvement – just about anything that requires the support of many stakeholders in order to be successful.
Most of the time when people call, they are looking for help in one of these four phases of change:
- How can we make a compelling case for change – so that people feel the urgency to do something different? This is a big one. In fact, I believe this phase is the most important part of a change. If you do this right, you’ll all but eliminate major resistance before it begins. If you gloss over this phase, the chance of hitting a wall of opposition later on is extremely high.
- How can we get started on the right foot – so that we can make progress quickly? This phase involves a lot of tasks, such as setting goals (vision) . . . deciding who will lead the change. . .deciding who to involve in the planning – and how to involve them. . . creating strategies to get the support of those who have a stake in the change. . .learning about the technical part of the work (for example, what’s the best way to plan and implement a new software system in a company like yours?). . . create tactical plans. .. determine how to monitor progress. . .and develop a communications plan.
- How can we keep change alive after the initial excitement – so that we see real results from all that effort? So many changes begin with a flourish and then die a year later without ever showing any substantial benefits.
- How do we get back on track – if something happens to cause us to start to derail? All kinds of things can happen to mess up an otherwise decent plan. It is critically important to be able to pick up the warning signals that things are about to derail. And equally important to know how to address these challenges.
Of course, the work in each of these phases looks different from client to client. Some use me as an "on-call consultant," others bring me in to give an executive briefing on managing change to leaders, while others want major on-site consulting assistance.
Here’s How I Work
- Rick has the ability to bring a refreshing new perspective when we seem the most stuck. He is able to honor the difficulty of organizational change, but respect the fact that change must occur. I find it a true joy to work with Rick.
- Michael Matthews
CEO
Central Virginia Health Network
I work a little differently from the big consulting firms. In fact, I work quite a bit differently. I don't move in and camp out in your conference room. It's still your project and you need to lead it. I’m there to support you and give you my best advice. For that, you probably don’t need to see me every day or even every week.
I write a proposal based on what you tell me you need. I don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach. The one constant is my belief that my Change without Migraines™ approach works. Change without Migraines™ is the foundation for all of my work.
With some clients, I work face-to-face with a planning team over a few months. Others want me to help plan and conduct important meetings with stakeholders, coach leaders, run focus groups, and do some training. Others are happy with regular phone and e-mail exchanges. As I said, the work varies, depending on your requests, the type of change, and your organization’s ability to take on change management responsibilities.
By the way, I lead every project. I may bring in associates to assist, but you'll be working closely with me throughout the engagement.
Here are some typical options for working together:
On-Call Consulting — Get Advice When You Need It
As an "on-call consultant," my job is to help you think through strategies, offer my best advice and critique, coach you on ways to approach critical situations, and help you debrief the work along the way. I want you and your organization to develop the capacity to handle the change yourself, so that you are not dependent on consultants every time you want to make a change.
In short, we can have a sound long-term working relationship without you having me in your face every day of the week for months on end (and, of course, that keeps your travel expenses way down).
Sometimes we can meet face-to-face for planning meetings, some short training sessions, and so forth. . . . but most of the time we will get a lot done just by talking on the phone. You might be surprised at how much we can accomplish in these fifteen, thirty, or sixty minute phone meetings. (In addition to regular phone calls, one client invited me to "sit in" on important planning meetings via phone or Internet.)
On-call consulting provides tremendous flexibility coupled with long-term support from me.
Presentations — Get People Thinking About Change Differently
- "After hearing Rick's presentation, we revamped the entire change management agenda for training leaders in our company."
- Linda Pardo
Shell Deep Water Development
I offer speeches and seminars to leaders on our Change without Migraines™ approach. My goal is to help you get results from major changes, without headaches, cost overruns, and hidden problems.
My approach to leading change is unique. I believe that the more people understand how to talk about change, the better off you will be. People will be more willing to engage you in conversations about where things stand or where they feel or see resistance that could stop a project dead in its tracks.
As a result of these educational sessions, you will begin to develop the capacity to plan and implement change without lots of reliance on outside consultants.
Please note that these presentations are for the leaders of change. I don’t conduct motivational sessions to get people excited about change. If people need motivational pep talks to get pumped up, you’ve got to ask yourself why you’ve got this problem. And that takes us back to the leaders.
On-site Consulting
- Rick’s ideas on ways to work with resistance to change have become an important part of our work with clients. His work is easy to grasp, it makes sense, and it’s practical.
- Mitchell Shack
Partner, Change Leadership Practice
Deloitte Consulting
Sometimes I get invited in to provide extensive help to a planning team. In these instances, I tend to spend a lot more time on-site with you. I provide advice, conduct assessments, suggest strategies, offer critiques, provide some training, coach, and generally act like the kid in the "Emperor’s New Clothes" fable and tell you things nobody else will.
By the way, I only take on one or two of these larger consulting engagements each year.
Case Studies
If you’d like to see some brief samples of how I work with clients, click here >>
How to Contact Me
- Your ability to bring all the theory down to understandable, practical, everyday applications was extraordinary.
- Jim Hunt
COO Adcom Communications, Inc.
If you're interested in knowing more about my work, please give me a call. As for my brochure, you're reading it right now.
Please contact me for more information at 703 525-7074 (that’s my direct line) or rick@beyondresistance.com
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